"We're hoping he has the second half of the season that he had last year where he was absolutely terrific for us and was banging goals in for fun," the 51-year-old added.

"I thought the combination of the two of them [Cisse and Shola Ameobi] didn't really work, so maybe we can find someone who is a bit better for Papiss.

"It's easier said than done in this window, I don't want to throw a negative on it. I want my guys working really hard to target what we think are realistic targets for us and we need to get one of them over the line."

The Tyneside outfit are jsut two points above the relegation zone following the 2-1 defeat to the Toffees

"We've played Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton - three really top teams without our best team," Pardew lamented.

"We have to take heart from the performances we've given but that isn't enough. We need some new bodies in, we need some bodies out the treatment room and we need to get our best side back on the pitch.

"We need to bring in another body, maybe two and get our best players back on the pitch. [Yohan] Cabaye and [Steven] Taylor are getting close and we need players like that at this time."